Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Superstars of both the present and future go head to head on Saturday night as Connor McDavid and his Edmonton Oilers host Connor Bedard's Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place.

The Oilers were of course one game away from winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990 last season, fighting back from 3-0 down in the Finals before losing Game 7 to the Florida Panthers.

There will be a huge sense of disappointment from that heartbreak and only time will tell how Edmonton reacts to another nearly season, but with the futures of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl seemingly tied to the franchise, the Oilers are likely to continue to be contenders. Certainly so for this season, according to the odds, as Edmonton is the favorite to go all the way at +750 at this very early stage, ahead of the New Jersey Devils at +850 and the Dallas Stars at +900.

Although winners of the Cup as recently as 2015, their third success in a six-season spell, the window of more Cup glory for the Blackhawks appears to be a little further down the line as they fit the pieces around last year's number one draft pick Bedard, who surprised few in winning the Calder Trophy last season - something that McDavid was unable to do.

Bedard gets a very early chance to pit his sophomore talent against the current best in the business, and with neither team having gotten off to the best of starts, there should be plenty of exctiement and energy on show on Saturday night as they look to chalk up the first win.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers betting picks and predictions

Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (-130)

There was always going to be some kind of hangover from last season and the Oilers were given an early dose in their season opener as they were blown away by the Winnipeg Jets 6-0 in their season opener on Wednesday night.

Edmonton of course were thrashed 8-1 in their opening game last year as part of what was a dismal 2-9-1 start that ultimately cost Jay Woodcroft his job, and Kris Knoblauch will be determined to get his players heading in the right direction as quickly as possible.

What is arguably in the Oilers favor is the fact that they have not played since then, while Chicago followed up a 5-2 opening defeat to the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday with a 2-1 overtime loss in Winnipeg on Friday night and have little time to prepare for a third road game in five days against last season's Western Conference champions.

The Oilers should be better than their opening game and have a great recent record against Chicago, winning the last six games between the two, including last season's two games at Rogers Place by 4-1 and 3-0 scorelines. They can win in similar fashion on Saturday night.

Under 6.5 goals (-115)

Given the offensive talent on show, particularly from an Edmonton viewpoint as it ranked fourth for goals scored last season, going under the total may be a little surprising, but the goal threat is not provided by both teams, on last season's evidence at least, as Chicago ranked last.

None of the three meetings between these two last season had more than five goals, with the most recent game ending 3-0 in late January, which came on the back of a 2-1 win for Edmonton in Chicago.

A form line for this season also suggests fewer goals, with Chicago only beaten 2-1 after overtime in Winnipeg, while Edmonton lost with under 6.5 goals to the Jets earlier in the week.

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers odds

Chicago Blackhawks	+280 ML
Edmonton Oilers	-360 ML
Puck Line	EDM Oilers -1.5
Total Goals	O/U 6.5

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers player props

Connor Bedard (CHI Blackhawks)	+180
Teuvo Teravainen (CHI Blackhawks)	+275
Taylor Hall (CHI Blackhawks)	+275
Zach Hyman (EDM Oilers)	-110
Connor McDavid (EDM Oilers)	+100
Leon Draisaitl (EDM Oilers)	+115

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.